USC Football Injury Report: Good News, Bad News On O-Line Backs (4/6)

Nico Falah was back in action, but good news on the offensive line was match by bad news for Andrew Voorhees. Here’s the latest USC football injury report.

One comes back in and another goes out. That seems to be the trend for USC football’s offensive line this spring.

Center Nico Falah made a limited return to live action on Thursday, getting 10 reps at center to test his progress dealing with a herniated disk.

“I actually talked to [Falah] right towards the end of practice, he said it felt great., head coach Clay Helton said. “So that’s a very positive sign that hopefully he back’s getting a little bit better and he’s getting a little bit more core strength to help him.”

The positive for the offensive line was matched by a negative, however.

Early enrollee Andrew Voorhees sat out practice with a tight back — a problem which could cost him the rest of his first spring camp.

Helton said that they expected it to take some time for Voorhees back to unlock, but they’ll have to wait and see if he can suit up again with just three more practices until the annual spring game.

USC Injury Report:

• Out for spring: LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), C Toa Lobendahn (knee), WR Steven Mitchell (knee), OT Nathan Smith (knee), WR Trevon Sidney (hip), OL Viane Talamaivao (elbow)
• Out: S C.J. Pollard (ankle), OL Andrew Voorhees (back), RB Aca’Cedric Ware (foot), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (groin)
• Questionable: WR Deontay Burnett (head), CB Iman Marshall (shoulder)
• Limited: DL Kenny Bigelow (knee), C Nico Falah (back), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (shoulder)

Iman Marshall was also missing from parts of the day at the Coliseum with a Grade 1 shoulder sprain. Despite the injury, the cornerback was able to complete individual drills and the seven-on-seven period, but he was held out of contact situations.

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Helton anticipates the junior could be back as early as Saturday. Otherwise, he should be available on Tuesday.

Wide receiver Deontay Burnett ended practice surrounded by trainers after he fell hard laying out for a catch attempt in the endzone. Helton said he dinged his head, but they don’t know how badly he hurt himself.

Rounding out the injury news, right guard Viane Talamaivao had successful surgery to repair his partially torn bicep on Tuesday, Helton reported.

The Trojans expect the lineman back by the first or second week of training camp.